Memo

BILL NUMBER:S3469A

TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing certain substances as schedule I stimulants controlled substances

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: To classify substituted cathinones (these products, often referred to as "bath salts," chemically related to methamphetamines and ecstasy - which are both classified as stimulants) as Schedule I stimulant controlled substances.

CURRENT LAW: Chapter 130 of the Laws of 2011 banned the sale or distribution of any product containing Mephedrone and MDPV which were marketed as "bath salts."

JUSTIFICATION: Many recent and disturbing news reports have brought to light the continued danger of a drug like product known as "bath salts." According to UPSTATE Medical University and the Upstate New York Poison Center "bath salts" is a common term used for man-made stimulant (upper) drugs that are similar to "ICE" methamphetamine (or crystal meth). Since they are very similar to other stimulant (upper) drugs like meth (amphetamine), they are very dangerous when used. "Bath salts" can be snorted, smoked, or even put in water and injected using a needle. They come in a variety of different and attractive packaging with enticing names like "Cloud Nine", "White Lightening", "Purple Rain", "Pixie Dust", and many more.

These drugs stimulate the nervous system (brain) and the cardiac system (heart). Severe symptoms may occur including convulsions, seizures, chest pain, excessive sweating, hallucination, anger/violence, suicidal thoughts and action. The use of "bath salts" can cause heart attacks, permanent brain damage and scary hallucinations that can last for days or even weeks. Behavior can result in suicide or the harm to or killing of others.

While Chapter 130 of the Laws of 130 criminalized the sale of "bath salt" products containing Mephedrone and MDPV, a current practice of making minor alterations to chemicals to subvert statutes that prohibit distinct chemicals made it possible for slightly altered "bath salt" products to continue to be sold in New York State. In this new legislation, by adding substituted cathinones to the CSA based on foundational chemical structures, this loophole of chemical alteration would be closed. Not only will this bill provide criminal sanctions, but also makes it a felony to sell such product to a minor or on school grounds.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect 90 days after it shall have become a law, with provisions.

Text

STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
3469--A
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 4, 2013
___________

Introduced by Sen. GRIFFO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Health -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing
certain substances as schedule I stimulants controlled substances
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Paragraphs 9 and 10 of subdivision (f) of schedule I of
section 3306 of the public health law, as added by chapter 130 of the
laws of 2011, are amended and fourteen new paragraphs 11 through 24 are
added to read as follows:
(9) 4-METHYL-N-METHYLCATHINONE OR 4-Methylmethcathinone, also known as
Mephedrone.
(10) 3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYPYROVALERONE OR Methylenedioxypyrovalerone,
also known as MDPV.
(11) 3,4-METHYLENEDIOXY-N-METHYLCATHINONE (SOME OTHER NAMES: METHY-
LONE).
(12) 4-METHOXYMETHCATHINONE.
(13) 3-FLUOROMETHCATHINONE.
(14) 4-FLUOROMETHCATHINONE.
(15) ETHYLPROPION (ETHCATHINONE).
(16) 2-(2,5-DIMETHOXY-4-ETHYLPHENYL)ETHANAMINE (2C-E).
(17) 2-(2,5-DIMETHOXY-4-METHYLPHENYL)ETHANAMINE (2C-D).
(18) 2-(4-CHLORO-2,5-DIMETHOXYPHENYL)ETHANAMINE (2C-C).
(19) 2-(4-IODO-2,5-DIMETHOXYPHENYL)ETHANAMINE (2C-I).
(20) 2-{4-(ETHYLTHIO)-2,5-DIMETHOXYPHENYL}ETHANAMINE (2C-T-2).
(21) 2-{4-(ISOPROPYLTHIO)-2,5-DIMETHOXYPHENYL}ETHANAMINE (2C-T-4).
(22) 2-(2,5-DIMETHOXYPHENYL)ETHANAMINE (2C-H).
(23) 2-(2,5-DIMETHOXY-4-NITRO-PHENYL)ETHANAMINE (2C-N).
(24) 2-(2,5-DIMETHOXY-4-(N)-PROPYLPHENYL)ETHANAMINE (2C-P).
S 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.

EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04273-03-3

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